Free Ranging does not mean no fences

[cookinmom]

Call it what you will, when my chickens see that door come open, they call it BLISS!

 

[seedcorn]

free range by definition is they aren't in pens and have access to outside the building. Access is the key word as they don't have to go outside at all.

Organic is the definition I have the hardest time with since I know problems that are not addressed. I truly doubt that 10% of the labeled organic truly is.

 

[speckledhen]

It isn't. Organic, that is. The USDA recently ruled that they would allow a certain percentage of inorganic ingredients in organic products. I'm sorry, I can't recall where I read the official report. They want to hold OUR feet to the fire, but they let the BIG GUYS get away with this crud.
Oh, I found part of the statement, sorry, OT:

"The [US Department of Agriculture] has announced a controversial proposal, with absolutely no input from consumers, to allow 38 new non-organic ingredients in products bearing the "USDA Organic" seal." It seems a sausage company wants to stuff non-organic casings with organic meat; and a beer company wants to make "organic" beer with non-organic hops (pictured).​

 

[seedcorn]

Unless you grow all your own feeds, I doubt whether the feed you buy is organic. I don't care what the label says. I know too many growers that grow 100 acres of less of organic corn that yields 1-2000 bu/acre (or at least that's how much they feed off of those acres). We won't talk about the weeds that are in their fields..............

 

[speckledhen]

I know my feed isn't because you cannot get organic feed in these parts. I've never seen a bag of it anywhere.

 

[cookinmom]

38% is a lot. That's almost half! To me, that should not count as organic.
Oh yeah, I think my last bag of feed cost $9. It is southern states layer crumbles.

 

[speckledhen]

I can get Southern States or Purina layer pellets for about $11, Chick starter for maybe $13, if I remember. I also can buy Buckeye layer pellets which have higher protein content (animal protein) for $13.

 

[usbr]

Quote:
Great point, something I should have mentioned myself but I didnt because I posted the links mearly for explaining my point, not as a definative reference. They are a good starting point and nothing more. I hate wiki as well but you cant help but to use them when they consestantly come up as top 5 or 10 in google searches. Also when students do papers, they rarely keep going over the stuff like we do for this hobby/business so if wiki changes, they dont know but we do as checking on wiki just is a source for more info.

 

[usbr]

Quote:
I dont think it says anything about your manhood, only about the effectiveness of human urine as a long term deterrant to nusance animals. There is a thread a little while back but in a nutshell, urine dont work, the animals get used to it quite easily.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=10872

 

[usbr]

Quote:
Do you free range? What type of set up do you have for your chickens?

Yes, my birds free range but what specifically do you want to know about my "set up"? As I said, the USDA allows people to say whatever they want if you have egglayers and only requires access to outside (no matter how small the access is) for meat birds. I wish the USDA would change the defination or at least make a suitable one because untill then, people will play fast and loose with the definations they put on thier birds/eggs and that does nothing to help the buy local/organic/humainly kept animals and eggs push we are seeing in this country. Personally, I feel its false advertising and borderline fraud but nothing can be done about it (see the USDA part). I dont have any problems though if the consumer actually visits the farm and see the restrictions the animals have but decides to purchase anyway. At least that way, they are an informed consumer and any label is unneeded at that point. Anyway, Im sorry people got so defensive and upset over the thought that they probally shouldnt label thier birds/eggs as free range when they are not. Other than money or pride, I just cant see what the big deal is, just lable your stuff so consumers know what they are getting, seems pretty simple to me.

HTH